EURO 2020: Why win against plucky Austria showed that Italy are not title contenders yet – tactical analysis

The Euro 2020 knockout rounds began on Saturday, with Wales falling short against Denmark, before Italy faced Austria in a game which looked, on paper, fairly straightforward, given the performances of both sides during the group stages. However, everything has a habit of being turned on its head when tournaments reach these rounds, and this game showed that.

In this tactical analysis, we will see how Italy struggled to match the same levels as they had in their group games, with poor passing and decision-making both notable features of their play. We will also see how Austria set up with counter-attacking tactics, making it difficult for Italy to break them down, and then attacked with pace when they got the ball.

Lineups

Italy reverted back to their first choice starting XI for this game, with plenty of squad players given opportunities in the Azzurri’s last game against Wales. Chelsea vice-captain Jorginho and PSG’s Marco Verratti kept their places in midfield, with Nicolo Barella returning to join them. In defence, Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo came in for Rafael Toloi at right-back, whilst Francesco Acerbi and Leonardo Spinazzola replaced Alessandro Bastoni and Emerson respectively. In attack, Federico Bernadeschi, Andrea Belotti and Federico Chiesa moved back to the bench, with the regular attacking trio of Domenico Berardi, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne reclaiming their places on the pitch.

Austria, meanwhile, named the same 11 players who started their final group game against Ukraine. That meant that former Leicester City loanee Aleksandar Dragovic kept his place in the centre of defence, alongside Martin Hinteregger, whilst Real Madrid-bound David Alaba captained the side from left-back. Midfielder Xavier Schlager, who has impressed in the tournament so far, played as one of the defensive midfielders, whilst playmaker Marcel Sabitzer, who has been a big part of RB Leipzig’s rise in German football as their captain, again started behind former Stoke City and West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic.